Activate the Child's Own Natural Desire to Learn
Barton Primary School is a small, friendly, and successful school located in the heart of the village community in Barton, Cambridge. We are a Church of England (CE) primary school, and our Christian faith is central to our values and ethos. We are proud to have been graded OUTSTANDING in our last Church Schools' Inspection, and our recent GOOD Ofsted report in February 2020 highlighted our peaceful and welcoming environment, which is reflected in the way our pupils respond to the high ambitions of our staff.
Our school combines the excitement of learning with high expectations, and we believe that the goal of education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn. We achieve this by providing a nurturing and stimulating environment that encourages our pupils to take ownership of their learning and make progress at their own pace. Our small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff allow us to provide individualized support and attention to each of our pupils, ensuring that they receive the best possible education.
At Barton Primary School, we have a strong focus on the development of the whole child, and we recognize the importance of learning outside of the classroom. We offer a range of extracurricular activities and clubs, which provide opportunities for our pupils to develop new skills and interests, as well as make new friends. Our school also has close links with the local community, and we work closely with the parish church and the village playgroup to provide a range of activities and events that bring our community together.
Our Curriculum
At Barton Primary School, our curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that prepares our pupils for the challenges of the 21st century. Our curriculum is underpinned by our Christian values, and we believe that learning should be a joyous and fulfilling experience. We offer a range of subjects, including English, mathematics, science, and humanities, as well as physical education, music, and art.
We also have a strong focus on the development of literacy and numeracy skills, and we use a variety of teaching methods and resources to ensure that our pupils make progress in these areas. We believe that all of our pupils have the potential to excel, and we work closely with parents and carers to identify and support their individual strengths and areas for development.
Our Team
At Barton Primary School, we have a dedicated team of staff who are passionate about providing the best possible education for our pupils. Our headteacher, Mrs Julie Martin, is a highly experienced and qualified educator who is committed to ensuring that our school provides an outstanding education. Our teaching staff are all fully qualified and experienced, and we also have a range of support staff, including teaching assistants, who provide additional support to our pupils.
We also have a number of governors who are committed to ensuring that our school is run in a way that is accountable to parents and the wider community. Our governors are drawn from the local community, and they bring a range of skills and experiences to their role. They provide guidance and support to our headteacher and staff, and they are responsible for ensuring that our school is financially managed and governed in an effective and efficient way.
Our Facilities
At Barton Primary School, we have a range of modern and well-equipped facilities that provide an excellent environment for learning. Our classrooms are well-lit and ventilated, and we have a range of specialist rooms for subjects such as music, art, and physical education. We also have a large playground and outdoor play areas, which provide opportunities for our pupils to enjoy physical activity and play outside of the classroom.
We also have a range of facilities that support our curriculum and extracurricular activities, including a library, a gym, and a technology suite. Our school also has a range of outdoor spaces, including a play garden and a sensory garden, which provide opportunities for our pupils to explore and learn about the natural world.
Positive Aspects
The reviewers have differing opinions about the school, but one reviewer, Keith Tarring, has a very positive experience. He mentions that the school is welcoming, friendly, and has a great ethos that balances academic success with other opportunities. He also praises the school's values and how they promote self-awareness and importance of individuality.
Academic and Extracurricular Activities
Keith Tarring's review highlights the school's emphasis on academic success, as well as its provision of extracurricular activities such as Young Voices, which his children enjoyed. The school seems to offer a range of opportunities for children to develop their skills and interests.
Concerns and Issues
However, Corinna Gleeson's review presents a stark contrast to Keith Tarring's positive experience. She expresses concerns about bullying and neglect by the school's staff. Her son, who has learning difficulties, was subject to physical and verbal bullying, and the head teacher was unhelpful in addressing the issue. Corinna Gleeson also mentions that the school's SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is ineffective, and that some parents are treated unfairly due to their social class.
Lack of Support and Negligence
The reviewer's experience highlights a lack of support and negligence by the school's staff. Corinna Gleeson felt that the school was more interested in presentencing a positive image rather than addressing the actual issues faced by students and parents. The head teacher's unhelpful response to the bullying incident and the school's refusal to accept its mistakes are particularly concerning.
